GSA awards $7,461 contract for 30 Master Lock sets, highlighting hardware manufacturing sector needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,461 ($7.5K)

Contractor: Master Lock Company LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $249/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PADLOCK SET SHAPE, SOLID BODY, CORROSION RESISTANT STEEL OR CARBON STEEL, CASE HARDENED STEEL SHACKLE, LOCKS KEYED ALIKE, 1-KEY PER LOCK, 2-ADDITIONAL KEYS PER SET, 1.170 INCH VERTICAL SHACKLE CLEARANCE, .750 - .779INCH HORIZONTAL SHACKLECLEARANCE,.3

Place of Performance

Location: OAK CREEK, MILWAUKEE County, WISCONSIN, 53154

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $7,461 to MASTER LOCK COMPANY LLC for work described as: PADLOCK SET SHAPE, SOLID BODY, CORROSION RESISTANT STEEL OR CARBON STEEL, CASE HARDENED STEEL SHACKLE, LOCKS KEYED ALIKE, 1-KEY PER LOCK, 2-ADDITIONAL KEYS PER SET, 1.170 INCH VERTICAL SHACKLE CLEARANCE, .750 - .779INCH HORIZONTAL SHACKLECLEARANCE,.3 Key points: 1. Contract value appears minimal, suggesting a small-scale procurement or a pilot program. 2. The award to Master Lock Company LLC indicates a reliance on established manufacturers for hardware. 3. Limited duration of 30 days points to an immediate or short-term need. 4. The procurement method 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' suggests a streamlined process for smaller purchases. 5. Fixed price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 6. Geographic location of awardee in Wisconsin may influence regional economic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7,461 for 30 lock sets is relatively small, making direct value-for-money assessment challenging without more context on the specific lock type and intended use. However, the award to a known manufacturer like Master Lock suggests a competitive process likely yielded a fair market price for standard hardware. Benchmarking against similar government procurements for padlocks would be necessary for a more precise valuation.

Cost Per Unit: $248.70 per set

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process was utilized for this purchase. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP is designed to encourage competition among a broad range of vendors for procurements below certain thresholds. This suggests that multiple offers were likely considered, contributing to price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP for this contract likely ensured taxpayers received a reasonable price for the required hardware, avoiding potential overpayment associated with sole-source awards.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring secure locking mechanisms for facilities or equipment will benefit from this contract. The contract delivers essential hardware, specifically padlocks, to meet operational security needs. The geographic impact is primarily tied to the delivery location of the locks, which is not specified but likely within a federal facility. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a procurement of goods rather than services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single manufacturer if future needs are similar and not re-competed.
Lack of detailed specifications in the provided data makes it difficult to assess if the 'best' lock for the intended purpose was procured.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable manufacturer like Master Lock suggests quality and reliability.
Use of competitive SAP process indicates an effort to secure fair pricing.
Fixed price contract provides budget predictability.

Sector Analysis

The hardware manufacturing sector (NAICS 332510) encompasses the production of various metal goods, including locks and locksets. This contract falls within this sector, representing a small but typical procurement for essential security hardware. Government spending in this area supports domestic manufacturing and ensures the availability of critical supplies for federal operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve aggregating purchases of similar locking devices across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (SB: false) and the awardee, Master Lock Company LLC, is a large corporation. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, this specific award does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem, though larger contracts often have subcontracting requirements that could involve smaller firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a purchase order under SAP, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and internal GSA oversight. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases, and any significant issues could be subject to review by the GSA Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration - Federal Acquisition Service
Hardware Procurement
Facility Security Equipment

Risk Flags

High per-unit cost requires further investigation.
Lack of detailed security specifications.
Short contract duration may indicate a temporary need or a gap in planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $7,461 to MASTER LOCK COMPANY LLC. PADLOCK SET SHAPE, SOLID BODY, CORROSION RESISTANT STEEL OR CARBON STEEL, CASE HARDENED STEEL SHACKLE, LOCKS KEYED ALIKE, 1-KEY PER LOCK, 2-ADDITIONAL KEYS PER SET, 1.170 INCH VERTICAL SHACKLE CLEARANCE, .750 - .779INCH HORIZONTAL SHACKLECLEARANCE,.3

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MASTER LOCK COMPANY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7,461.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-05-08.

What is the typical lifespan and warranty associated with Master Lock padlocks of this type, and how does it compare to industry standards?

Master Lock typically offers a limited lifetime warranty on many of its padlock products, covering defects in materials and workmanship. The lifespan of a padlock can vary significantly based on usage, environmental exposure, and maintenance, but high-quality models designed for commercial or government use are generally expected to last for many years, often exceeding a decade under normal conditions. Comparing this to industry standards, Master Lock is a well-established brand known for durability, and their warranty is competitive within the hardware manufacturing sector. However, specific product lines may have different warranty terms and expected lifespans, necessitating a review of the exact model procured under this contract for a precise comparison.

How does the per-unit cost of $248.70 compare to similar government or commercial purchases of padlocks?

The per-unit cost of $248.70 for these padlocks appears exceptionally high for standard padlocks, suggesting these may be specialized, high-security, or custom-keyed sets. For typical commercial or government padlocks, prices often range from $5 to $50 per unit, depending on size, material, security features (e.g., shackle clearance, material strength), and keying options (keyed alike vs. keyed different). If these are indeed standard padlocks, this price point would be a significant outlier and warrant further investigation into the specific product details and justification for the cost. It is possible the 'set' includes multiple locks keyed alike, along with additional keys, which would increase the per-set cost but still requires careful scrutiny of the unit price within the context of the entire package.

What specific security features are included in these padlocks, and do they meet current federal security standards?

The provided data indicates the padlocks have a solid body made of corrosion-resistant steel or carbon steel, and a case-hardened steel shackle, with specific vertical and horizontal shackle clearances. While these are desirable features for durability and security, the data does not specify the exact security rating (e.g., ANSI Grade 1 or 2) or compliance with specific federal standards like those set by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) or the General Services Administration's Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) for security equipment. To assess if they meet federal standards, one would need to identify the specific Master Lock model number and cross-reference its specifications against relevant government security requirements for the intended application.

What was the rationale for the 30-day contract duration, and does it align with typical federal needs for such hardware?

A 30-day contract duration for the procurement of 30 padlock sets suggests an immediate or short-term operational need. This could be for a specific event, a temporary security requirement, a pilot program, or to replenish stock during a period of higher-than-usual demand before a larger, longer-term contract is established. Typical federal needs for hardware like padlocks can range from short-term to indefinite, depending on the application (e.g., securing temporary construction sites versus permanent facility access). A 30-day period is relatively short for hardware procurement, implying it's either a stop-gap measure or for a very specific, time-bound purpose. Further context on the agency's inventory management and security protocols would clarify if this duration is standard or exceptional.

Are there any historical spending patterns with Master Lock Company LLC by the General Services Administration or other federal agencies for similar hardware?

Historical spending data would reveal if GSA or other federal agencies have a pattern of purchasing padlocks from Master Lock Company LLC. Given Master Lock's prominent position in the market, it is highly probable that they have been a frequent supplier to the federal government over the years. Analyzing past contracts, including their values, quantities, and competition levels, would provide insight into the consistency of this relationship and whether current pricing aligns with historical trends. Such analysis could also identify if GSA has previously procured similar lock sets under different contract vehicles or with different specifications, offering a benchmark for evaluating the current award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Hardware Manufacturing › Hardware Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: HARDWARE AND ABRASIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

Address: 1 HORIZON WAY BLDG N, DEERFIELD, IL, 60015

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,461

Exercised Options: $7,461

Current Obligation: $7,461

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline